I've read Randy Alcorn's book Heaven and absolutely love it! What a fantastic examination on the character of the location and what we can expect when we arrive there! So I've been doing Sunday School lessens lately on that topic. Now I intend to do a lesson on what the Bible says about the nature of the rewards we can receive.
The first point to be made is the difference between Entering Heaven and Receiving Rewards therein. If I pose the question about how a person enters into Heaven, I think the response will be pretty obvious - faith in Jesus' atonement for our sins. This is given to us without any 'effort' on our part. We don't earn this, just accept it as a gift. "For by Grace you have been saved through faith. Not of yourselves, it is a gift from God least any man should boast." (My paraphrase). Confirming that, we must move on to the verses that talk about Judgement.
And in Revelation, there is a Judgement Throne that depicts this act of final decree for this situation. "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done...Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:11-13,15)
Also, the verse: 'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.' (2Cor 5:10)
I'll pause here to discuss the fact that multiple books are mentioned in the Revelation verses. I'll ask 'why do you think various books are mentioned? What might they contain?'. Then I'll emphasize the fact that the Book of Life appears to be a list of names, so the other books are likely lists of the actions, words and thoughts of all the people. Perhaps one book per person! A question to pose for the group will then be 'What are some of the things that will show up in your book?' Answers will probably focus on some minor negative things, but according to 2 Corinthians, there will also be good (or neutral) things as well. Examples might include such mundane ideas as "Woke up and hit the snooze button. Brushed teeth. Did not put the cap on the toothpaste. Saw, but did nothing about the smudge on the mirror."
I could segue into a discussion on what God notices or how the 'good' in a person's life will never outweigh the bad in God's eyes without Jesus' "finger on the scale", so to speak. But I'll skip that idea and move on to actual rewards given.
A question could be asked at this point about the general 'everybody gets them' rewards. (i.e. Eternal Life, access to God, a new body, etc.), but I want to emphasize the fact that we will not all be equal in Heaven.
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will
fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes,
brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with
persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31)
Moving on to specific rewards mentioned:
Crowns -
Ask: What is a Crown? What does it mean/symbolize/represent?
Crown of Righteousness:
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim4:8)
There is some debate about this one. Do all Christians receive it? (Since, in theory, all Christians would long for His Presence). Is it just for those who are specifically praying for and looking forward to His return? Is it for those who have been especially Righteous? (i.e. not nominal Christians).
Incorruptable Crown:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an IMPERISHABLE CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:24-27)
The mention of this crown is proceeded by Paul talking about athletes and how they have to give up things in order to obtain a crown that fades. What kind of things do athletes give up in striving for that gold metal or trophy? Also Note that this verse is fairly general (so again, do all Christians receive this? Or is this a crown received out of sacrifice?)
Crown of Life (Martyr's Crown):
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. (Rev. 2:10)
Other translations say that you will receive the "Crown of Life". An interesting thought here is that there are verses in the Bible which point out that doing things for other people is accepted by Jesus as being done for Him - so what about those who have given their lives trying to help another? Would they qualify for this crown?
Crown of Joy (The Evangelist's Crown):
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? (1 Thess. 2:19)
This is interesting because it implies that perhaps the crown is not a physical object, but people. Why do you think it was phrased like this? Do you actually need to kneel down and pray with a person, leading them to Christ to receive this Crown or do you think being one of the many nudges along the way to someone's salvation is enough? Do you think this is really very relative? Of the following two people, which seems more likely to get the crown: One who wasn't looking to lead anyone to Christ, but was asked once and dutifully lead the person through prayer or another who never got a chance to pray with anyone, but day after day urged people to choose Christ?
Crown of Glory:
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Who qualifies to receive this crown? Is there any opportunity in your life to be a leader? What about a parent - would a person who is 'shepherding' their own child qualify for this crown? Why or why not?
Finally, we'll end with the following:
“Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.” Revelation 3:11 (NLT)
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)
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